Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Health Care Financing Administration.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Title of Information Collection: Laboratory Personnel Report Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and Supporting Regulations in 42 CFR 493.1-493.2001.

Form No.: HCFA-0209 (OMB #0938-0151).

Use: CLIA requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish certification requirements for any laboratory that performs tests on human specimens, and to certify through the issuance of a certificate that those laboratories meet the requirements established by DHHS. The information collected on this survey form is used in the administrative pursuit of the Congressionally-mandated program with regard to regulation of laboratories participating in CLIA. Information on personnel qualifications of all technical personnel is needed to ensure the sample is representative of all laboratories.

Frequency: Biennially.

Affected Public: Business or other for profit, Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government, and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 26,500.

Total Annual Responses: 13,250.

Total Annual Hours: 6,625.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm or E-mail your request—including your address, phone number, OMB number, and HCFA document identifier—to Paperwork@hcfa.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed within 30 days of this notice directly to the OMB desk officer: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Allison Eydt, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.